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Fixed Monetary Penalties (FMPSs) and Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) for reservoir managers Since January 2019 SEPA has been able to issue Fixed Monetary Penalties (FMPs) of between £300 and £1,000 to reservoir managers. In addition, SEPA also has the ability to issue Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) of up to £40,000 for majority of offences within the legislation. All offences that SEPA can

SEPA guidance Guidance on decommissioning of non-nuclear facilities. Principles on surrendering permits and registrations for radioactive substances actvities. Satisfying the optimisation requirement and the role of best practicable means. Guidance on monitoring for heterogeneous Radium-226 sources resulting from historic luminising or waste disposal sites. Management of end-of-life smoke detecto

You can view recent household waste statistics on the National Records of Scotland archive. Charts and tables are temporarily unavailable. Publication When reported When published Household waste summary data and text, pre-release access list and quality report 2024 28th October 2025 Household waste summary data and text, pre-release access list and quality report 2023 29th October 2024 H

Biodiversity is a key element that needs to be considered in many planning systems. River basin management planning (RBMP) Through RBMP we work with our partners to identify, prioritise and deliver biodiversity enhancement and protection of the water environment. The Land Use Strategy and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy call for a more integrated approach to land and water management across who

Waste from all sources Discover Data toolLast updated: 15th July 2025 Household Waste Discover Data toolLast updated: 28th October 2025 This page presents data and information on the types and quantities of waste generated and managed across Scotland. The Scotland’s Environment Waste Discover Data tool presents waste from all sources, i.e. from households, the construction and demolition sector, a

What we do SEPA have various statutory responsibilities for land use planning in Scotland and cross-border. Through these responsibilities, we deliver against SEPA’s five strategic priorities - net zero, climate resilience, water environment, resource efficiency and business environmental performance. In our planning role, we aim to help: Protect Scotland’s environment and communities from harm.

Guidance for planning authorities and SEPA We have prepared Development Management Consultation Thresholds and Standing Advice guidance, which sets out our framework for how and when we should be consulted on planning proposals as well as standing advice. Flood risk and development management We have prepared guidance and supporting information to support the consideration of flood risk in th

We are continually working to develop and improve our knowledge on flood risk and flooding impacts and to identify new technologies to better support our flooding work. As the strategic flood risk management authority in Scotland we are continually working to develop and improve our knowledge of the sources and impacts of flooding. We have developed a knowledge base of methods, guidance and summaries that may be useful to responsible authorities, academic projects and consultants delivering flood risk management projects, which can be accessed below. National Flo

Our vision is for towns and cities to use nature-based, blue-green solutions to absorb and safely convey rainwater. This will: help strengthen their resilience to the intense downpours they face under climate change minimise the risk of polluting sewage spills by keeping rainwater out of sewers create fantastic places for people to live and work Urban wastewaters Over the past 20 years, SEPA has

Scotland’s soils are an important natural resource providing a wide range of benefits for people, the environment and the economy. It is essential to protect soils to ensure they are able to continue to provide these benefits for future generations. Why are soils important? Soils are a vital natural resource as they carry out a wide range of essential functions, such as growing food and timber, co